Unlimited PTO but not allowed sick days

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve worked for this company for 3 years and I’ve only taken two sick days ever, which were when I had my wisdom teeth out and that was over 2 years ago. I’ve taken a total of 10 PTO days in the last year and our company average is 25.

I’ve had bad food poisoning this week and took half of Wednesday off and then called in sick yesterday, and when I did they told me that I’ve been “taking too much time off” and I needed a doctors note to prove that I’m actually sick. We’re also a fully remote company that has done a ton of layoffs lately so we’re really short staffed and I have a brand new boss. Our sick leave policy says we have unlimited sick days but if we’re out for more than 3 days we need a doctors note. But I haven’t even been out for a full day. Is this inappropriate and how would you respond?

Send them a copy of the policy and note that if you end up having to stay home more than 3 days you will provide a doctors note per the policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Next time just take some "PTO" rather than telling them it is for sick leave. Nobody gives you a gold medal for not taking PTO by the way. Might as well start using it once in a while rather than bragging you never use it. Your boss literally does not care.

Don't most jobs, even ones with unlimited PTO, require you to request PTO in advance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Next time just take some "PTO" rather than telling them it is for sick leave. Nobody gives you a gold medal for not taking PTO by the way. Might as well start using it once in a while rather than bragging you never use it. Your boss literally does not care.

Don't most jobs, even ones with unlimited PTO, require you to request PTO in advance?

Yes. Sick days and PTO are different for this reason

How is PTO working at companies?

[Anonymous]

My last fully remote company we be in line Covid, flu, I mean unless getting surgery having a tummy ache is not a big deal.

One guy did meeting in bed unshaven in pjs once

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Next time just take some "PTO" rather than telling them it is for sick leave. Nobody gives you a gold medal for not taking PTO by the way. Might as well start using it once in a while rather than bragging you never use it. Your boss literally does not care.

Don't most jobs, even ones with unlimited PTO, require you to request PTO in advance?

Yes. Sick days and PTO are different for this reason

How is PTO working at companies?

NP. At my company, they aren’t. We technically don’t have a “sick leave” category, only PTO. I’ve never been denied “sick leave”, but yes, always have to let my boss know and put in a request that same day or as soon as I’m back.

[Anonymous]

let them know the 3 day policy and it was 1.5 days.

[Anonymous]

Do you get this paid out if you quit? I get annual leave paid out but not sick (6 weeks saved up). I’m just curious how this unlimited PTO works?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you get this paid out if you quit? I get annual leave paid out but not sick (6 weeks saved up). I’m just curious how this unlimited PTO works?

You don't get paid out. That's why companies like it. People take less time off and they don't have to pay anything when people quit.

[Anonymous]

Fully remote and sick days are an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fully remote and sick days are an issue.

Why? It’s good that someone is being candid enough to acknowledge they are sick and not having a productive day as opposed to pretending they were working when they weren’t.

Remote is great when you are feeling a little under the weather with a head cold and can usually work through that but a stomach bug?

And who goes to the dr for that kind of thing? Silly to make people pay copays and take appts from people that actually need them for a Dr to say - yes, this patient told me they have a stomach bug.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:and when I did they told me that I’ve been

Is they your boss? Odd that 1/2 day is too much already. They likely do not know your strong work (and non use of PTO) record. What is your HR policy? If you are all remote and co doing layoffs, tread lightly.

Yep and they’ve only been my boss for like 2 months. She’s been pip-ing and firing people over petty things so want to tread lightly

Go to urgent care, get the note. Not the time to be quoting policy at managers FFS!

Thank you, voice of reason!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or just go with explosive diarrhea and dare them to challenge you on that?!?

Take a conference call from the bathroom floor. Or toilet.

[Anonymous]

That's why I hate unlimited PTO/sick days. You always have to wonder whether the leave that you take would be considered as abusing the system. I'd rather just have a set amount and no one gives me grief for using what is mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my experience, companies institute "unlimited PTO" policies when they don't actually want anyone to use ANY PTO. They know that employees will play the "am I using too much" game and err on the side of using too little.

10000% They let younger workers take off more easily, but if you’re over 40, for get it. They want hou buckled into your seat and be thankful that they employ you. Seen and heard this happen too many times. Unlimited PTO is a con.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you get this paid out if you quit? I get annual leave paid out but not sick (6 weeks saved up). I’m just curious how this unlimited PTO works?

You don't get paid out. That's why companies like it. People take less time off and they don't have to pay anything when people quit.

This was 100% my experience with unlimited time off.